October 10, 2023
Lahaina, Hawaiʻi– As the people of Maui continue to grapple with the many challenges in the aftermath of the August wildfires, a common concern is the inability of mortgage holders to make mortgage payments. On Wednesday, October 4, Senator Angus McKelvey (District 6, West Maui, Māʻalaea, Waikapū, South Maui) sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting that the President instruct the Department of the Treasury to lead a conversation with national banks and their servicing entities to institute a back-end mortgage forbearance program, with the interest being waived, for the entire duration of the rebuilding process.
A mortgage abatement, similar to those issued during COVID-19, would delay eminent home foreclosures and ensure Lahaina residents would be able to remain in their community.
McKelvey urged President Biden to maintain his initial promise made to the Lahaina wildfire victims during his visit on August 21. “The dreams and heritage of generations of Lahaina residents are at stake, and only your intervention can help us,” McKelvey wrote. “I humbly ask you uphold the promise you made to us that day on Maui that Lahaina was not for sale.”
Senator McKelvey acknowledged the challenges the administration is currently facing and reiterated the President’s pledge to assist in the critical nature of protecting Lahaina and its people.